Library Report 2023-24: Assessment Supplement Freshman/Senior Survey The survey was administered in April 2024 through Qualtrics and a total of 233 student responses (139 seniors and 94 freshmen) were received. Students answered both Likert scale quantitative questions and open-ended short answer questions. Quantitative responses in 2024 showed a noticeable rebound from the 2022 survey’s surprisingly lower scores. While some scores remained average or below average, statements addressing the importance of the library scored well, and, in some cases, set new benchmarks for high scores. Overall, average quantitative scores remained high or very high in most areas and lower scores were most often correlated with areas/service of the library not used as widely by students. Several themes stood out. First, the library is well regarded by most students. Our numeric scores remain high and the rebound from the previous survey’s low scores indicate that it was a blip rather than a developing pattern. Over 97% of students rated themselves as satisfied with the library overall and only 4.5% of responses indicated dissatisfaction with any specific area of the library. Second, the library is vitally important to students, especially to seniors. Among seniors 88% rated the library as “very important” or “important.” Freshmen and senior responses show substantial increase over the past 15 years of the survey, indicating that even as information, technology, and assignments evolve, students increasingly see the library as a valuable part of their academic experience. The library’s efforts to provide services at point-of-need for students, the expansion of print course reserves, and the addition of more solo and group study spaces all contribute to this recognition of the library’s value by directly meeting the academic needs of students. A third takeaway is that the library is not fully meeting the solo study needs of students. “Individual study spaces” was the lowest performing area for seniors and below average for freshmen. Considering the comments provided, this is likely due to the increasing traffic in the library which has resulted in a more crowded and noisier library. It is possible that this may change with the opening of the new business building in Fall 2024, but should it not, attention must be given to ensuring that some spaces in the library are preserved for quiet study. Finally, the dramatic increase in the number of comments about physical books, textbook reserves, and OhioLINK/ILL all point to the continuing value of print collections in an academic environment. Despite the ubiquity and utility of digital information resources, physical materials still play a critical role for students in an academic environment. Well-rounded libraries cannot afford to phase out their physical collections or suspend print purchasing entirely in favor of digital resources; such a choice would be a disservice to their community. Improve solo study experience Maximize critical point-of-need services Publicize the value of print resources in meeting student needs ACTIONS How important is the library to you? Percentage of students who answered that the library is important or very important to them. Year Seniors Freshmen 2011 65.7% 68.2% 2014 73.3% 68.5% 2015 76.0% 70.6% 2017 76.3% 74.5% 2019 77.4% 81.3% 2022 83.1% 80.0% 2024 87.8% 87.2%
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